Sunny Side of the Doc | 19-22 June 2023

Documentary Business

Peter Hamilton Consultants, Inc

UK: A Selection of Top Documentary & Unscripted Programs in 2014 for 50 Channels

This week’s table captures a selection of the highest-rated programs for 50+/- UK channels in 2014.

  • The networks range from the broadcast giants BBC, ITV, C4 and C5 to tiny niche services like the Africa Channel and PBS America.
  • Discovery’s bouquet of channels is included.
  • We’ll share data for the suites of channels from A+E and Fox / Nat Geo another day.

The table provides useful insights into the relative scale of the UK viewing audience for 140 programs… and into what’s working or not.

A Selection of Top UK Programs by Channel, 2014

CHANNELTITLEViewers (‘000)Rating
AFRICA CHANNELCOOKING WITH SIBA290.0
AFRICA CHANNELSTUDIO 5370.0
ANIMAL PLANETMY TINY TERROR370.1
ANIMAL PLANETTREEHOUSE MASTERS790.1
BBC 1THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF13,51023.1
BBC 1THE APPRENTICE8,21914.1
BBC 1COUNTRYFILE7,29512.5
BBC 1MASTERCHEF6,57711.2
BBC 2TOP GEAR PATAGONIA7,21412.3
BBC 2MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS4,0436.9
BBC 2MARY BERRY COOKS3,7076.3
BBC 2THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE3,4946.0
BBC 3THE CALL CENTRE1,3172.3
BBC 3HAIR1,0891.9
BBC 3DON’T TELL THE BRIDE9091.6
BBC 3TOUGH YOUNG TEACHERS7961.4
BBC 4THE FIRST GEORGIANS: THE GERMAN KINGS1,2762.2
BBC 4THE CODE1,0231.8
BBC 4HOW THE WEST WAS WON WITH RAY MEARS9851.7
BBC 4TALES FROM THE ROYAL WARDROBE8761.5
BETKEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES250.0
C4BENEFITS STREET6,48211.1
C4GOGGLEBOX4,6708.0
C4BENEFITS BRITAIN: THE DEBATE3,9376.7
C4ONE BORN EVERY MINUTE3,6636.3
C5CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER3,7126.3
C5BENEFITS BRITAIN: LIFE ON THE DOLE3,1615.4
C5THE BIG BENEFITS ROW: LIVE2,5824.4
C5AUTOPSY: WHITNEY HOUSTON’S LAST…2,4644.2
CHALLENGETHE BLURB290.0
DAVESTORAGE HUNTERS9841.7
DAVELIZARD LICK TOWING5761.0
DAVETOP GEAR BURMA SPECIAL4260.7
DAVESIN CITY MOTORS3470.6
DISC HOME & HEALTH17 KIDS AND COUNTING490.1
DISC HOME & HEALTHHOMES UNDER THE HAMMER 14470.1
DISC HOME & HEALTHCOUNTRY HOUSE RESCUE380.1
DISC HOME & HEALTH18 KIDS AND COUNTING340.1
DISCOVERY QUESTSALVAGE HUNTERS4550.8
DISCOVERY QUESTWHEELER DEALERS3690.6
DISCOVERY QUESTSALVAGE HUNTERS3050.5
DISCOVERY QUESTWHEELER DEALERS ON THE ROAD2870.5
DISC SCIENCESKY HIGH SCRAPERS (2D)330.1
DISC SCIENCECHINA’S MAN MADE MARVELS20.0
DISC SHEDAUTO TRADER530.1
DISC SHEDWHEELER DEALERS REVISITED530.1
DISC SHEDIMPROVE YOUR COARSE FISHING460.1
DISC SHEDRECORD BREAKING FISH440.1
DISC TURBOOVERHAULIN’ CHRONICLES VOL. 1630.1
DISC TURBOCHASING CLASSIC CARS590.1
DISC TURBOWORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE CAR560.1
DISC TURBOWRECKS TO RICHES520.1
DISCOVERYFAST N’ LOUD3410.6
DISCOVERYWHEELER DEALERS TRADING UP3050.5
DISCOVERYTURBO PICKERS1670.3
DMAXREALLY RECKLESS DRIVERS350.1
DMAXDRIVING ME CRAZY320.1
DMAXGARAGE TAKEOVER300.1
DMAXHOLMES IN NEW ORLEANS230.0
DRAMAGARDEN RIVALS120.0
DRAMAGARDEN MAKERS100.0
E4MADE IN CHELSEA1,4722.5
E4TROY1,0491.8
E4COME DINE WITH ME MIC SPECIAL2620.4
E4BODYSHOCKERS: MY BIG BOOB HELL1220.2
EDENANGRY PLANET400.1
EDENRAISING BIG BLUE240.0
EXTREME SPORTSBLOOD, SWEAT & GEARS150.0
FOODBAREFOOT CONTESSA970.2
FOODBAREFOOT CONTESSA – BACK TO BASICS940.2
FOODEAT STREET840.1
FOODNIGELLA EXPRESS820.1
GINXGET FRAGGED: TOP 10 SHOOTERS160.0
GINXGINX LIVE60.0
GOOD FOODRIVER COTTAGE CHRISTMAS FAYRE960.2
GOOD FOODTHE HAIRY BIKERS: MUMS KNOW BEST890.2
GOOD FOODRIVER COTTAGE TO THE CORE790.1
GOOD FOODGOK COOKS CHINESE760.1
HOLIDAY & CRUISETHE TRAVEL BUG (1)80.0
HOLIDAY & CRUISEDESTINATION (1)70.0
HOMENEW: MY DREAM DERELICT HOME740.1
HOMEHOME CRAFTS WITH GORDON WHISTANCE550.1
HOMEDIY SOS: MILLION POUND BUILD FOR CHILD540.1
HOMETHE HOME SHOW -OLD PEOPLE’S HOME520.1
ITVLONG LOST FAMILY5,6909.7
ITVPAUL O’GRADY: FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS5,3599.2
ITVSECRET LIFE OF BABIES4,8148.2
ITVTONIGHT4,7568.1
LONDON LIVEPLACE INVADERS370.1
LONDON LIVETEN YEARS YOUNGER230.0
MORE4GREAT CANAL JOURNEYS9011.5
MORE4HOMES BY THE SEA7121.2
MORE4PENELOPE KEITH’S HIDDEN VILLAGES6311.1
MORE4CAR S.O.S5671.0
MOTORS TV3D DRIVES300.1
MOTORS TVAUTO MUNDIAL200.0
MY CHANNELIN GOOD SHAPE60.0
MY CHANNELTALKING GERMANY20.0
NDTV 24X7WILL TRAVEL FOR FOOD570.1
NDTV 24X7THE SUPER FIT SHOW90.0
PBS AMERICAUNBELIEVABLE FLYING OBJECTS200.0
PBS AMERICAAMERICA’S ANTIQUES ROADSHOW150.0
PBS AMERICAAUCTION WARRIORS70.0
PBS AMERICAA FLEA MARKET DOCUMENTARY50.0
PICK60 MINUTE MAKEOVER2300.4
PICKCHILDRENS HOSPITAL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL1180.2
PICKDOWNSIZE ME770.1
REALLYA PLACE IN THE SUN: HOME OR AWAY1740.3
REALLYFANTASY HOMES BY THE SEA1640.3
REALLYRIVER COTTAGE EVERY DAY1610.3
REALLYA PLACE IN THE SUN: HOME OR USA?1600.3
S4CCEGIN BRYN340.1
S4CGARDD PONT Y TWR230.0
SKY 1DAVID ATTENBOROUGHS NATURAL9041.5
SKY 1ROSS KEMP: EXTREME WORLD8481.4
SKY 150 WAYS TO KILL YOUR MAMMY5781.0
SKY ATLANTICTHE PETROL AGE910.2
SKY ATLANTICANTHONY BOURDAIN: NO RESERVATIONS500.1
SKY LIVINGITCHICK FIX20.0
STV GLASGOWHOOKED80.0
STV GLASGOWDESERT ISLAND CHEF40.0
TLCSAY YES TO THE DRESS1080.2
TLCKITCHEN BOSS660.1
TLCMIAMI INK600.1
TLCBEST OF BUDDY’S530.1
TRAVELBAGGAGE BATTLES1230.2
TRAVELAIRPORT 24/7 : MIAMI980.2
TRAVELMICHAEL PALIN AROUND THE WORLD IN 80840.1
TRAVELAMERICA’S DARK SECRETS DECLASSIFIED720.1
WATCHMASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA3380.6
WATCHMASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA: THE PROFS2720.5
WATCHCHOCCYWOCCYDOODAH: STARSTRUCK2640.5
WATCHJAMIE’S BEST EVER CHRISTMAS1750.3
YESTERDAYOZ AND JAMES DRINK TO BRITAIN530.1
YESTERDAYTHE BOAT THAT GUY BUILT460.1
4SEVENCOME DINE WITH ME RECUTS990.2
4SEVENDOUBLE YOUR HOUSE540.1

Source: BARB: Top Factual, Docs, Current Affairs, Hobbies &  Leisure, 2014. Individuals 4+. Highest single episode in series. Includes catch-up.

Featured image: Paul O’Grady + dog (ITV Studios)